Overview of Major Assignments in CO150

Sample
Academic Context Argument

Bobby
Nelson

Academic
Context Argument

Ever since the introduction of the first gasoline powered vehicle
we have entered a downward spiral developing us into a world of pollution,
global warming and depleted natural resources. The recent domination
of large Sport Utility Vehicles and Trucks of today's auto market
has elevated the problem. SUVs and Trucks are notorious for their
poor gas mileage and as a result, have elevated pollutant content
in their exhaust. A major factor of this is their massive weight having
to be driven by large engines resulting more exhaust output. However
midsize vehicles in their massive numbers account for a large portion
of pollution as well. It is time for a change in transportation methods.
It is time we look toward the future, to consider the fate of following
generations if nothing is done now. If no change is made to alleviate
this problem the outcome will be desolate to say the least. The increasing
pollutants will add to the further destruction of the ozone layer,
allowing harmful ultra violet rays to reach the earth's surface. As
oil resources lessen the demand will increase and the conflict for
control will heighten far beyond the quarrels of today in the Middle
East. With this conflict of control and depletion of oil around the
world the consumer is forced to pay increasing amounts of money to
fuel their inefficient vehicles. A change must be made in the automotive
market to remedy the desolation of our environment and of consumer's
wallets. The answer lies within the technology of hybridization of
today's vehicles. A solution that would provide increased efficiency
and gas mileage; resulting in less emission of harmful pollutants
and extending the mileage per tank. Surely one considerate of our
future would not allow the gradual destruction of our environment
and resources to continue. Consider the future of our world, for it
does affect you; you are responsible because you are a part of its
destruction, or its preservation.

It
is well known among Americans and those all around the world that
the vehicles of today have a large effect on the pollution present
in the world. It has long been a subject of controversy in which many
environmentalists adamantly oppose the further production of high
pollutant vehicles. Whether directly or not, automobile abundance
in today's world has a great effect on the stability of our environment.
Rather than modify current vehicles, such as hybrid conversion, some
believe the solution to this problem is to eliminate that which is
causing the problem. A proposition pushing the remove of personal
automobiles from the public market all together and instead relying
on a system of public transport and human powered locomotion. Indeed
this would drastically reduce the amount of pollutants in the atmosphere
and help conserve valuable resources utilized by automobiles, mainly
oil. Consumers would save large amounts of money by not purchasing
and maintaining vehicles, and thus be able to afford a higher standard
of living. Widespread usage of human powered transport such as bicycling
and walking would greatly reduce the frequency of obesity and overweightness
as seen in many European countries. Although a very valid point, there
are some fundamental flaws with this argument. Such a transition would
be widely opposed by those who rely on automobiles for daily activities
and earning a living. Automobiles have become a part of our culture
and integrated heavily into many lives. The automotive market fuels
many markets in today's world. Vehicle plants use large amounts of
metals, plastics, glass, fabric and countless other products to construct
vehicles. The loss of large-scale automobile production would result
in great losses in the markets such as metals and plastics. Those
promoting this change would have to confront the massive job loss
by those who work at vehicles plants and plants which supply the industry
with parts and components. Without a new industry to augment the massive
cut in the automotive industry economic effects would be drastic.
The automotive industry is not one what could just be taken away,
such a solution would far too many negative effects. Rather why not
modify the automotive market to continue to fit the need of the public
as well as alleviate the problems of pollution and stripping of resources.

Although
some see the positive effect of the hybrid technology on the auto
industry, they still have doubts about its feasibility. Opposition
lies heavily in the cost and performance aspect of the hybrid drive
system. Many may consider this new technology to be an under powered
enviro-car pushed by environmentalists and publicity starved celebrities.
Most importantly sporting a price tag requiring a celebrity salary
to afford. While such arguments could be substantiated through extreme
views on what constitutes good performance and cost, one can see that
they are inaccurate upon further investigation of the issue. The implementation
of the hybrid system can vary from a very minimal to a major part
of the drive train. This ability for choice can provide varying cost
options and performance effects. A “ ‘mybrid' ” (Armstrong) system
actually allows for greater power, fuel economy and emissions. The
system utilizes a “ bigger battery and
electric motor…[to take] some of the load off the gasoline engine”,
allowing the gas engine to solely drive the vehicle, power is actually
gained from this system. These “mybrid” systems could be implemented
for as little as $500 to $1000 above sticker price. Even the full
implementation of the hybrid system does not suffer cost and performance.
Their usage of an electric motor to drive the vehicle at times provides
lot of low-end torque, allowing V6 acceleration in a four-cylinder
engine. Such a modification is estimated to add only about $1,500
to $3,000 to the sticker price. Before denouncing that cost as too
high, one must consider the money saved over time by almost doubling
fuel economy of their current vehicle. According to J.D. Power and
Associates quality survey, “fuel consumption was the second most common
driver complaint industrywide” (Hakim). Even those who purchased the
fuel-efficient Hybrid Toyota Prius proclaim fuel consumption as their
number one complaint, as well as owners of the gas guzzling Hummer
H2 (Hakim).

Although the engine would increase the cost of the vehicle somewhat,
the money saved over time due to increased gas mileage would equate
to more than the extra cost for hybridization. A range of $500-$3000
increase in cost, depending on the level of hybridization, becomes
less intimidating when one looks at the result of their purchase.
Not only does the fuel-efficient technology save hundreds of dollars
a year on gas but also there are certain benefits to a hybrid vehicle.
Currently the government has in place tax breaks for those who purchase
hybrid vehicles. According to David Cole, director of the Center for
Automotive Research in Ann Arbor Michigan, the government is currently
offering up to a $2,000 tax break, this nearly covers the extra cost
of the hybrid vehicle. Although this tax break is to be phased out
in 2006, a proposed bill by Utah Senator Orrin Hatch would increase
the tax break for hybrid buyers to as much as $ 4,000 (Brown). If
such a bill were to be put in place it would be hard to deny the advantage
of purchasing a hybrid vehicle. It is clear
that the public is very aware of fuel consumption in their vehicles,
especially now with the recent high fuel prices. Now more than ever
would the public be agreeable to a very feasible and workable plan
to remedy their fuel consumption complaints and environmental concerns.
A vehicle with nearly doubled gas mileage, thousands of dollars
in government tax breaks combined with the piece of mind of helping
to lessen further detriment to the environment; provides a very alluring
case for hybrid vehicles.

Hybrid
technology promises to change the way we think about automobiles and
their effect on our world today. With the widespread implementation
of hybrid technology into vehicles we would be able to greatly diminish
the pollution of today's vehicles. “ Each
extra gallon of gas burned increases consumer reliance on foreign
oil and produces carbon dioxide, which, scientists say, contributes
to global warming.” (Heath) The decrease in pollution would
allow for cleaner living environments in metropolitan areas riddled
with smog and pollutants. The onset of hybridization into today's
market would visibly affect the world, as we know it. Such modifications
to automotive production standards would decrease our dependence on
oil dramatically. According to Robert Buderi, the editor in chief
of technology review, if we were able to increase the average gas
mileage of all US vehicles to 40 miles per gallon, we would save over
three million barrels of oil a day. This decrease in dependence on
oil would help alleviate tension over control of oil reserves due
to the lower demand. If plans for drilling for oil in the Alaska Arctic
National Wildlife Refuge were to be approved in conjunction with mass
hybridization of vehicles, the US would be that much closer to being
a self reliant oil producer. Both would aid each other in further
development, increased oil production would allow for cheaper prices
and allow for even greater success of hybrid vehicles. This lower
demand would as well help conserve the reserves of oil that are left.
While it is true that widespread hybridization would lessen the importation
of oil around the world, it would not wipe out the market. The process
of widespread hybridization would not take place overnight, it would
be a process that would grow over a span of many years. This time
span would allow for the oil industry as well as other markets affected
by their production to adjust as time goes on; as well as allow the
US oil production, if there will be one, to flourish. This technology
would not eliminate the necessity for oil; it would merely decrease
the need.

One must consider greatly their stance as an automobile owner. You
must determine weather you are willing to further empty the world
of its valuable resources and continue to pollute the planet in unnecessary
volume. Although you may not see the large-scale effects of this pollution
in the very near future, its presence is still looming. The long-term
effect of continued pollution is very real and would affect all the
inhabitants of our planet. While this is not cause for radical panic
and claims of the end of the world, it is still a pressing issue that
needs to be dealt with before it is too late. As a part of this planet
you are partially responsible for its past present and future, a future,
which may be very problematic. You can be a part of a great turnaround
in our environmental stand, a revolution in pollution control and
resource preservation.